MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE STOKE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON THURSDAY 1 OCTOBER 2009 AT 7.00 P.M. AT THE VILLAGE HALL MALLARD WAY LOWER STOKE. PUBLIC SESSION NOT PART OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING. 6 members of the public were present. Items raised by the public prior to the start of the Parish Council meeting were: A request for additional soil around the goal post areas in Mallard Way Play Park was raised. Cllr Stone said that he would personally try to get some top soil laid down in the area. A number of issues regarding the operations of Langmead Farms at Upper Stoke were raised and a letter was given to the clerk regarding concerns. The clerk will raise them with Langmead Farms. Mr Peter Good introduced himself as the new Stoke Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator and asked for additional volunteers so that all of the village can be covered. It was emphasised that ALL crimes should be reported to the police and an incident number obtained as this will help to get more police coverage in the village as Stoke is presumed to have a very low crime rate and therefore does not justify any additional policing. The public were reminded that general anti sociable behaviour should be notified to Medway Councils Safer Community section. Contact details are in the Newsletter. A copy for information regarding a recent structural survey on the Village Hall with various recommendations was given to the clerk and members. It was agreed that the Village Hall should be agendered for the next meeting. It was suggested that the existing 30 MPH sign in Cuckolds Green road by the high street end be moved further from the junction. This was noted. The meeting commenced at 7.30 pm. PRESENT: Councillors: Cllr B Stone Chairman, Cllr Mrs P Wade, Cllr G Blackman, Cllr J Luck, Mr R Morrad Clerk. 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. Min 558:09. Apologies were received from Cllr Mrs M Elmes, and Cllr G Barron, It was resolved to accept the apologies. Cllr J Peters was not in attendance. The clerk was requested to make contact with Cllr J Peters. Action: Clerk. 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST FOR ITEMS ON THE AGENDA EITHER PERSONAL OR PREJUDICIAL. Min 559:09. None declared. 3. MINUTES. Min 560:09. The Minutes of the Meeting 542:09 to 557:09 held on 2 September 2009, copies of which had been previously circulated to members, were proposed by Cllr Mrs P Wade, seconded by Cllr G Blackman and resolved to accept as a true record and signed by the Chairman. An update from the minutes was given by the clerk to members questions. 4. PLANNING APPLICATIONS REGISTERED FOR DECISION, AND DECISION REPORTS FROM MEDWAY COUNCIL RECEIVED. Min 561.09: Planning Appendix A; copies of which had been previously circulated was noted. Members further noted that MC09/0240. Demolition of the existing Public House and redevelopment of the site with 12 dwellings has now gone to appeal. No other applications have been received. 5. CORRESPONDENCE. Min 562.09: Appendix B. copies of which had been previously circulated, listed all reports and circulars received. The clerk read out items from the list highlighting various issues and answered members' questions. The following actions were resolved. A proposed speed limit order in Stoke Road was agreed but that the proposed rumble strip not be fitted, and that the savings could be better spent on more road markings such as school and slow bend painted on the road surface. Clerk to inform Medway Councils. A request to extend the Zig Zag by the school will be requested. Action Clerk. 6. MONTHLY ACCOUNTS & BANK RECONCILLIATION. Min 563.09: The monthly accounts were proposed by Cllr Mrs P Wade, seconded by Cllr G Blackman, and resolved that the said Accounts, a copy of which had been previously circulated to Members, as set out at Appendix C be approved for payment. Action Clerk. 7. REPRESENTATIVES REPORTS ON OUTSIDE BODIES Min 564.09: Cllr B Stone reported on the Rural Liaison meeting. Amongst the items raised were: The Community Responder scheme, more Defribulators and trained volunteers on the Hoo peninsular are required. Groundwork Team Green have young people to help cut back footpaths and hedge rows. It was suggested that the school be contacted regarding this with the view of getting the hedge cut back by the wild life garden as pedestrians are having to walk in the road. Clerk to contact the Head Teacher. Action: Clerk. Carbon capture and the new proposed Dam Head Creak Power Station was discussed. It was stated that a large area of employment land will now lay idle until a decision on carbon capture disposal method has been agreed as this land may be required for this purpose. Cllr G Blackman gave a report about issues raised at the last Police Liaison meeting which were: The fact that we have a new Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator; a new Police Sergeant, Sergeant Sharp and 2 P.C's with 4 PCSOs but these cover a much larger area now. The new P.C who will be covering our area is Mick Omeara who is a very experienced constable. It was noted that only emails regarding this meeting were sent out. The Parish Council office key that the Police had been using for the storage of their bicycles will be returned soon. Cllr G Blackman also reported on the last KALC Local committee meeting at which a presentation on the new proposed development a Chattenden was discussed. The highway access is giving concerns. 8. PLAY PARKS WORKS & CONTRACTS. Min 565.09: The clerk reported that no standard of the fence height in Heron/Mallard Way Park can be found. A new litter bin has been fitted in Upper Stoke Play Park so all Parks now have bins, residents are reminded to please use them. 9. WEB SITE/IT. Min 566.09: The clerk reported that the Parish web site is still being used on a daily basis. 10. HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION Min 567.09: Cllr G Blackman reported that he had meet Mr Swan of Medway Council to view a number of Highway issues which he has agreed to look into including the B.T. inspection plates which need to be raised to the Highway level. He has also looked at the drains on the A228. Black rubbish sacks have been dumped in New Hall Farm Road. Medway Council will be asked to collect them. Action: Clerk. 11. CLERKS REPORT Min 568.09: The clerk suggested that cable ties could be attached to the top of the swing frame to act as anti fouling measures to prevent the pigeon mess on the children's seats. The clerk was asked to look into this. Action: Clerk. Also a representative from the National Grid will be coming to the next Parish Council meeting on the 4th November to explain the proposed developments at Grain. It was suggested that Cllr Filmer be invited to attend. Action: Clerk. 12. BANKING FACILITIES UPDATE Min 569.09: The clerk reported the new account with Nat West is now fully operational. 14. GRAFFITI THE SHIP P.H. Min 570.09: The clerk reported that Medway Council are seeking the owner's permission to enter the land in order to get a cherry picker machine on the site to remove the graffiti. 15. NEWSLETTER Min 571.09: It was agreed that the following information be included: The Ship P. H. Looking at further methods of stopping pigeon mess on the swings. Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator. Invite members of the public to come to the National Grid presentation. 16. ITEMS DELEGATED TO THE CLERK FOR ACTION (STANDING ORDER No 30) Min 572.09: None. 17. A. O. B. AT THE CHAIMANS DISCRETION NO MOTIONS MAY BE PROPOSED NOR DECISIONS TAKEN UNDER THIS ITEM BUT IF MEMBERS WISH THEY MAY BE AGENDERED AT THE NEXT MEETING. Min 573.09: None. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 4th November 2009. There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.45pm Signed..................................................Chairman On the.............Day of......................2009 1 1